Southwest Portland in Multnomah County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Portland's First Public School

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026

1. Portland's First Public School Marker

Inscription. On this block, May 17, 1858, Portland’s first public school was opened: L. L. Terwilliger, principal; Mrs. Mary J. Hensill, primary grades; Owen Connelly, higher section; 280 pupils enrolled.

Enlarged in 1873, it became the Central School building. Use was discontinued on July 3, 1885. From this small beginning grew Portland’s great modern public school system.

This memorial erected by Lang Syne Society of Portland, September 14, 1965.

Erected 1965 by Lang Syne Society of Portland.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Oregon, Lang Syne Society of Portland series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1858.

Location. 45° 31.153′ N, 122° 40.771′ W. Marker is in Portland, Oregon, in Multnomah County. It is in Southwest Portland. It is at the intersection of Southwest Morrison Street and Southwest Broadway, on the left when traveling west on Southwest Morrison Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 698 SW Morrison Street, Portland OR 97205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in the Columbia River Gorge

and in the Willamette Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Portland Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Portland is a Public Market City (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Selling Building, 1910 (about 300 feet away); Pioneer Post Office (about 400 feet away); Simon and Helen Director Park / Teachers Fountain (about 400 feet away); Imperial Hotel, 1894–95 (about 700 feet away); Simon Benson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Multnomah County Library (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026

2. Portland's First Public School Marker

The marker is located at the northwest corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square, at the end of a series of plaques.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, June 25, 2026

3. Portland's First Public School Marker

The public school site would later become a hotel, and today is one of Portland's central public places.

Central School : SW 6th Ave and SW Yamhill St image. Click for full size.

William Hayes : Portland scrapbook 4 & 5 (Portland City Auditor Archives & Records Management), December 31, 1870

4. Central School : SW 6th Ave and SW Yamhill St

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 23, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.